Bloomfield was settled around 1876 and quickly morphed into an all-but-lawless Wild West town, complete with a gang of rustlers headed by the ex-sheriff. The brazen gang operated openly, marketing stolen beef through its own butcher shop. Blancett's Saloon was a hangout for gunslingers from every corner of the San Juan Basin.

By the early 20th century, however, residents were more interested in stimulating agriculture through irrigation, an endeavor that persists in this arid region. The Navajo Reservoir, 25 miles northeast via US 64 and SR 511, is the source of much of the area's water. Navajo Lake State Park surrounds the reservoir and offers recreational opportunities, including world-class fly fishing.